#amistead

[flurryheaven]

95th Annual Academy Award (Oscars) Nominations - Costume Design 

Mary Zophres - Babylon  Fourth nomination for Zophres. Previously nominated in 2011 for True Grit, 2017 for La La Land, and 2019 for The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. 

Ruth E. Carter - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever  Fourth nomination for Carter. Previously nominated in 1993 for Malcom X, 1998 for Amistead, and winning in 2019 for Black Panther. 

Catherine Martin - Elvis  This is the ninth nomination for Martin. Previously nominated for Costume Design in 2008 for Australia. Winning in 2002 for Moulin Rouge and 2014 for The Great Gatsby. Previously nominated for Art Direction in 1997 for Romeo + Juliet, and winning in 2002 for Moulin Rouge. Winning for Production Design in 2014 for The Great Gatsby. Also nominated this year for Production Design and Best Picture. 

Shirley Kurata - Everything Everywhere All at Once  First nomination for Kurata. 

Jenny Beavan - Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris  Twelfth nomination for Beavan. Previously nominated in 1985 for The Bostonians, 1988 for Maurice, 1992 for Howards End, 1993 for The Remains of the Day, 1996 for Sense & Sensibility, 1999 for Anna and the King, 2001 for Gosford Park, and 2010 for The Kings Speech. Winning in 1987 for A Room With a View, 2016 for Mad Max; Fury Road, and 2022 for Cruella. 

[jacket-coats]

Linda Amistead Memory Taj Atwal Green Coat

$159.00

Product Specification:

Inspired By: Taj Atwal

External: Suiting Fabric

Interior: Viscose Lining

Front: Buttoned Closure

Collar: Lapel Collar

Color: Green

Pockets: Two Outside and One Inside

Sleeves: Full-Length Sleeves

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[padutchtravel]

Visiting with friends de #honduras🇭🇳 visitando con amigos de #honduras #friendship #friendsaroundtheworld #amigos #amistead https://www.instagram.com/p/CFTTOIpji2F/?igshid=1aqdkzv33qgjq

[hashtagcwinstagram]

#Repost @rgrant1776 ・・・ James Amistead Lafayette (a double agent who worked for the Americans in the Revolution) and his mentor who helped him get his freedom, the Marquis de Lafayette. #williamsburg https://ift.tt/2YqJUpi

[carldavidson]

Picture: Rebellion on the Amistead.

[This is a brief comment i wrote five years back that seems relevant here]

On Natural Vanguards A Comment on David Graeber’s “Twilight of Vanguardism”

January 2007

By Carl Davidson

I think those opposed to “vanguardism,” or even those in favor of it, often have their own definitions of the term that are too narrow.

For instance, at any given time, I find it useful to try to figure out the proportions of advanced, middle and backward among the general population in regards to politics. The backward are those who like and defend the existing order of oppression, the middle don’t want to be bothered with politics all that much because it doesn’t make sense in their daily lives and they are focused on themselves and family, and the advanced are those who see the present order as unfair, unjust and/or oppressive and would like to do something to change it.

This “sectoring” is fluid; any given individual can move from one to another from time to time as conditions vary. But at any given time, the advanced are usually a minority, although they may be a relatively large minority.

Within the advanced, moreover, there are those who are presently active and those who are waiting to do something, those who are in organizations, mass or otherwise, and those who haven’t joined anything yet, and those who think just a few major reforms will do and those who think the whole system has to go.

This narrows things down a bit. If you look at the advanced who are active, in an organization and who think the whole order needs to be replaced, you have what I would call the revolutionary vanguard. Notice that I didn’t say they had to be in ONE organization, or have ONE program, or leader. At some point they might, although it’s unlikely and certainly doesn’t happen by declaration or fiat or self-assertion. In any case, this grouping is what I would call the “natural vanguard” that shrinks or swells with the ebb and flow of class struggle and social crisis.

Now there are many organizations in the “natural vanguard.” Some better, some worse. Some on an open road; some stuck in a cul-de-sac.Does any one or any one cluster of them ever get to be “the vanguard party?”

Only if certain conditions are met, including one very practical but often ignored factor: your group gets to be a LEADER if it has FOLLOWERS.

This seems clear as day to me, but we still have dozens of groups running around claiming to be the leader, but they don’t have any followers or supporters to speak of. They have the mistaken notion that a ‘correct line’ or ‘scientific program’ is sufficient, even granting that there is such a thing. Myself, I’ve come to the conclusion that I much prefer to work in groups that deal in ‘fruitful working hypotheses’ rather than ‘correct lines.’

I would say that to be the vanguard party, or the vanguard anything, a group or alliance of groups has to earn that designation by, first, winning over the vast majority of the advanced sector to choose it as their own organization; and second, by then in turn winning over large numbers of the middle forces to respect and follow its course of action, at least a good part of the time. 

Becoming a vanguard in this sense is something that is done practically and over time. The best examples I can think of were Vietnam and China. It simply means that masses of people recognize your group’s leadership ability that they will want to defend and protect you against the enemy, and finally, will want to join your ranks and shape the group’s politics and future themselves.

All the other disputes about the “genuine” vanguard status being achieved by assembling varying sets of principles or ideological coda is more in tune with medieval theological or Talmudic disputation, rather than the kind of fresh thinking we need today.

[annarellix]

Devil's Chew Toy by Rob Osler (Hayden & Friends #1)

Seattle teacher and part-time blogger Hayden McCall wakes sporting one hell of a shiner, with the police knocking at his door. It seems that his new crush, dancer Camilo Rodriguez, has gone missing and they suspect foul play. What happened the night before? And where is Camilo? Determined to find answers, pint-sized, good-hearted Hayden seeks out two of Camilo’s friends—Hollister and Burley—both lesbians and both fiercely devoted to their friend. From them, Hayden learns that Camilo is a “Dreamer” whose parents had been deported years earlier, and whose sister, Daniela, is presumed to have returned to Venezuela with them. Convinced that the cops won’t take a brown boy’s disappearance seriously, the girls join Hayden’s hunt for Camilo. The first clues turn up at Barkingham Palace, a pet store where Camilo had taken a part-time job. The store’s owner, Della Rupert, claims ignorance, but Hayden knows something is up. And then there’s Camilo’s ex-boyfriend, Ryan, who’s suddenly grown inexplicably wealthy. When Hayden and Hollister follow Ryan to a secure airport warehouse, they make a shocking connection between him and Della—and uncover the twisted scheme that’s made both of them rich. The trail of clues leads them to the grounds of a magnificent estate on an island in Puget Sound, where they’ll finally learn the truth about Camilo’s disappearance—and the fate of his family.

Book page: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57997935-devil-s-chew-toy Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pb3YYz

My Review: This is the first time I'm a blogtour for a book I bought well before I heard about the blog tour. The excellent reviews by writers I love made me buy it. The Amistead Mauping reference was a bonus added as I'm a huge fan of Tales from the City. I fell in love when it talked about the evengelical aunts and the car with the stickers about the Rapture. It's a romp, a highly entertaining romp. The occasional one night stand that turn in the search for the disappeared Camilo. The very diverse cast that I found interesting and made me laugh. And Commander who is a great characters. It's not a fast-pace/actio packed/etc etc but it's a highly entertaining and gripping story that I strongly recommende.d Hope to read the next story soon. Many thanks to Rob Osler and Melissa Amster for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

The Author Prior to Devil’s Chew Toy, Rob Osler’s short story, Analogue, which was published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, won the Mystery Writers of America Robert L Fish Award as part of the 2022 Annual Edgar Awards. Rob lives in California with his long-time partner and a tall gray cat.

Website: http://robosler.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/roboslerwriter Twitter: http://twitter.com/robosler Instagram: http://instagram.com/roboslerwriter

[guhhhhhhhhhhh]

I was tagged to do a thing by the fabulous @ice---queen and I am answering this now before I forget!!

Rules:  Answer eleven questions, make eleven questions and tag eleven people. 

1. If you could pick a different color for the sky, what would it be?

Easily my preferred colour for the sky would be lavender!

2. If you could be in a movie about a historical figure, who would you want to be? Would you be the main/secondary/extra character?

oh man I would probably slay at playing Robbie Ross in any sort of Wilde bioptic 

3. If you were going to be trapped in an apocalypse bunker for an indefinite number of years and could only bring one book (or book series), what would it be?

I would bring either the Lord John Grey series (which I have already read several times over so maybe isn’t the best choice, but I love it with all my heart) or the Tales of the City series by Amistead Maupin, which I just started and Love To Death

4. Thoughts on road trips?

LOVE LOVE LOVE I make amazing road trip playlists,  ooooh man yep I really love road trips. going places, seeing things, driving through endless farmland listening to a collection of great jams with friends is the ideal adventure tbh

5. Favorite movie/TV trope?

im a hoe for that whole enemies>friends>lovers troupe. I also love it when the main character as a secret talent/whatever and only like one other person knows and they have a lot of inside jokes

6. What’s made you smile this week?

not much, but mostly just seeing beautiful dogs around campus. Somebody’s beautiful husky ran up beside me while I was coming home from a long day and it was maybe the highlight of my week 

7. Do you have a comfort movie/book?

I have a LOT of comfort movies but the first that comes to mind is A Design For Living (1933) and the second is Kikis Delivery Service

as far as comfort books go, I really love reading The Charioteer because I can just immerse myself in it and its so good I love it. 

8. How do you feel about board games?

they’re fun but I rarely play them unless someone else invites me to. I associate them with my childhood and also with my one aunt who always whips them out at family gatherings and ropes all my reluctant cousins into playing. 

9. If you had to write a book/screenplay, what would it be about?

oh shoot I have so many ideas for books and films just running around in my head constantly that there is no way I could pin one down. Im currently writing something about a couple of gays in the 50s and its just a boring generic romance but ehhhhhh. im realizing that a lot of the things I write would work out better as films but I have literally no experience in writing screenplays or anything like that....sooooooo

10. What’s that one thing you really wish your favorite historical figure hadn’t done?

Wilfred Owen maybeummmmmmmm Not Dying  

11. Someone’s writing the story of your life; what’s your favorite scene/chapter so far?

Standing in a grove of aspens at a little cider place in northern Michigan, listening to the leaves rustling in the breeze and watching the shadows on the ground and feeling perfectly happy for just a little bit.

my Questions: 

1. Any strange irrational fears? 

2. Do you have that book that you keep coming back to over and over and could re-read a thousand times?

3. What do you do on those lazy rainy days when there’s no reason to leave your house?

4. If money wasn’t a problem, what would you love to do with your life?

5. If you write, what is your favorite POV to use?

6. Favorite plant?

7. What’s your opinion on camping? is it worth sleeping on the ground surrounded by bugs? 

8. What’s the one place you never want to leave and always want to go back to?

9. Have any guilty pleasure movies/books?

10. Think back on your day, what has been the highlight so far? 

11. What’s something that you’re really looking forward to in the next few weeks?

im not going to tag 11 people lmao but I will tag just a few (and y’all don’t have to do it if you don’t want to) @yet-he-was-intrepid   @vvaugh  @stalinistqueens

[teeraksamur]

My first audiobook of the year! Tales of the City by Amistead Maupin #sweetsindesign #designchallenge #ipadlettering 

[giovithunder]

Recensione della miniserie "Tales of the city" (2019)

Recensione della miniserie "Tales of the city" (2019)

Buongiorno e buona festa della donna alle lettrici.

Oggi torno a parlarvi di serie televisive e, nello specifico, di “Tales of the city”, miniserie Netflix rilasciata l’anno scorso. Tale miniserie è il sequel di una sitcom degli anni ’90 tratta dai romanzi di Amistead Maupin.

Pur non avendo visto le stagioni precedenti (ben più datate), non ho riscontrato nessun problema nella fruizione…

[lgbtqnation]

Amistead Maupin reveals which deeply closeted movie star he had awkward sex with - Read More: http://ift.tt/2ksNCvX

[isetteregni3-blog]

Ｆａｍｉｌｉａｓ | ᴵᵐᵖᵒʳᵗᵃᶰᵗᵉ ˡᵉᵉʳ

“Lᴀ ғᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀ ᴛᴇʀᴍɪɴᴀ sɪᴇɴᴅᴏ ɴᴜᴇsᴛʀᴏ ᴛᴀʟᴏ́ɴ ᴅᴇ ᴀϙᴜɪʟᴇs”. Pᴀʙʟᴏ Esᴄᴏʙᴀʀ

Vᴀʟᴇɴᴛɪ́

La familia Valentí ha formado parte del mundo de los negocios ilícitos desde hace ya varias generaciones atrás; a estado en poder pero también lo ha perdido debido a los negocios mal hechos por parte de los jefes de familia. Hace 21 años la familia Valentí paso de todo a nada, gracias a la familia Alfero quien se ganó la posición de una de las mejores familias en los “ I Sette Regni” después de que demostrarán ser peligrosos e inteligentes a la hora de los negocios con las otras familias. Esto no le gustó a la familia Valentí, mucho menos al jefe de familia de aquel entonces, Anthony Valentí; quien ordenó a su hijo asesinar  a todos los miembros de aquella familia, sin dejar ningún rastro de ella, aunque una de ellas fuese su sobrinas. Cuando todo aquello sucedía, descubrieron la gran fortuna que los Alfero mantenía en secreto, su seguro de vida por si las cosas se ponían mal; Sin embargo para tener acceso a todo aquel dinero, joyas y demás se necesitaba portar el apellido Alfero, nadie de esa familia los ayudaría además que ya habían matado a la mitad de esta, Marcus Valentí el encargado de asesinar a Carlo Alfero, tuvo la solución justo al tirar del gatillo y darle muerte, además del llanto de aquella bebé  en la parte trasera del auto donde sus padres yacían muertos. Los Valentí sabían que toda herencia de los Alfero ahora estaba en manos de aquella menor, por lo que se le fue perdonada la vida para cuidarla como una Valentí más solo hasta que tuviese la edad suficiente para poder tener acceso a todo.  Tras aquella masacre la familia Valentí paso a ser la más poderosa de Italia. Marcus Valentí, como jefe de familia, se dedica a supervisar la mayoría de los negocios que dejo a cargo a sus hijos, también es quien decide y da la ultima palabra cuando de algo importante se trata. El hijo mayor, sabe el secreto de la familia Valentí y como resurgieron tras la derrota de la familia Alfero, es fiel a su padre, quien le encargo matar a Bianca cuando ella cumpliera los 23, el acepto sin dudar, pues no la tolera para nada. También se encarga del trafico de drogas, es quien está al mando, su padre vigilandolo desde atrás. El segundo hijo es casi todo lo contrario a su hermano mayor pues es muy cercano a su hermana menor, esta comprometido con la menor y única hija de los Kishaba. La tercer hija, es quien se encarga de hacer los negocios pues es una mujer muy elegante y seductora, tiene gran habilidad con las palabras.  Tiene una competencia de vanidad con la mayor de los Armistead. La menor de la familia no es hija de Marcus Valentí, es la última miembro de la familia Alfero. Tiene una extraña relación con el hermano de su mejor amiga, el segundo hijo de los Milosevic. Al tratar de quedar bien con su padre, cumple todos los caprichos de él, lo que la ha convertido en una mujer que siempre busca salirse con las suyas, usando la seducción para robar los objetos de su interés o de su padre.

Dᴇ Lᴀɴɢᴇ

Esta familia entró a los I Sette Regni tiempo después de la masacre de los Alfero, gracias a la ayuda de los Valentí; Pues ambas familias tiene una relación de sangre. Tras decir muchas veces que los De Lange eran una carga para su familia, Marcus Valentí sorprendió a todos al integrarlos a dicho grupo sin embargo esto fue por una razón, tener más poder en los I Sette Regni. Pese a tener un padre débil y carente de carácter, los hijos e hijas de los De Lange son completamente diferentes y han comenzado a tomar el mando, teniendo negocios en la prostitución y drogas, y también casinos, donde lavan parte del dinero y otro tanto invirtiéndolo en la ciencia para tener nuevos descubrimientos que los pongan al nivel del resto de las familias. Comenzando con los dos mayores, ambos con carácter fuerte, buenos en el combate cuerpo a cuerpo, así como una labia que engañaría a cualquiera.   El mayor mantiene una relación con la mayor de las Milosevic desde hace varios meses, antes de que un mal negocio hiciera imposible dar a conocer dicha relación. Las dos hijas,  hermosas por igual saben muy bien cómo usar esos encantos, ayudando muchas veces a cerrar varios grandes negocios con el simple hecho de pestañear y sonreír. Aunque la mayor haya caído en su propio juego en uno de esos negocios. Y por último el menor, ese chico que parece ajeno a todo, pero conoce un gran secreto que podría quitar del trono a los Valentí.

Pávlov.

La familia Pávlov está conformada en su totalidad por hombres, es la segunda familia más sanguinaria debido a los ataques de los que ha sido partícipe , incluso contra miembros de su propio círculo, sin duda en Rusia el apellido Pávlov es más que conocido . Al igual que los Kishaba, tienen un gran negocio con el tráfico de personas y prostitución, de hecho es común ver a estas dos familias en compra y ventas. También es conocida por ser un gran importador de cocaína. El hijo mayor siente un gran odio por el mayor de los Kishaba, después de que asesinara a golpes a su gran amor, prometiendo una vida llena de miseria y sufrimiento para él, pues la muerte parecía un regalo. Posee una gran habilidad para el manejo de armas, así como en los negocios ilícitos de lavado de dinero. El segundo hijo  tiene una relación un tanto tóxica con la mayor de los De Lange, sus idas y venidas están a la orden del día aún así abriendo una posibilidad de unir ambas familias y adquirir aun más poder.  Al igual que su hermano es un excelente tirador, con un corazón frió a la hora de asesinar, es quien se encarga del negocio de la cocaína.   Los otro dos hijos menores son los encargados y mentes maestras en los negocios restantes como también en los ataques y secuestros que realizan. Además de ser quienes reclutan a todas aquellas chicas que posteriormente venden.

Mɪʟᴏsᴇᴠɪᴄ

La familia Milosevic es otra familia importante dentro de la I Sette Regni pues es quien en su mayoría vende las armas que las demás familias tiene a su poder. Si bien el negocio de los albanos es más en el tráfico de armas y de drogas, la trata de blancas también es parte del negocio de esta familia. Sin embargo su especialidad son las armas, y así lo demuestra el segundo miembro de los Milosevic, al ser un gran tirador, y el mayor sicario que puede tener esta familia. El hermano mayor en algún momento tuvo una estrecha amistad con el mayor de los Amistead, que se vio empañada por malos negocios y problemas de faldas. Ahora busca superarlo en cualquier aspecto. Es el dueño de una empresa, la cual lava el dinero que saca toda la familia con sus negocios ilegales. Es alguien muy serio, la mayor parte del tiempo anda de traje, parece alguien recto, tras la fachada de tener una empresa, difícil de ver como lo que es, un mafioso. La hermana mayor  mantiene una relación casi secreta con el mayor de los De Lange debido a recientes problemas entre ambas familias por ciertos negocios incumplidos por los De Lange, solo su hermana menor sabe de esto. Y la mayor de las Valentí con quien tiene una buena amistad. Es una falsificadora de documentos experta, la mayoría de los mafiosos recurren a ella cuando necesitan una identificación perfecta La menor de esta familia tiene una buena amistad con la menor de los Valentí así como el menor de los De Lange, este triángulo ha formado una amistad a lo largo de los años pues se conocen desde muy temprana edad.  No es catalogada como buena, pues ha hecho pequeños mandados para la familia, aún así, ella solo disfruta del dinero que obtiene su familia de los negocios, gusta de gastarse todo en ropa y verse siempre bella.

Pᴇᴛᴇʀsᴏɴ

La familia Armistead posee sin duda una muy grande suma bancaria. Además de una cierta posición entre la gente importante de NY al ser socios y capitalistas de diversos empresarios de dicha ciudad. Cabe decir que son empresas que utilizan para el lavado de dinero, esa es la manera en que pueden saldar la deuda. Ambos hijos son unas grandes mentes maestras para los negocios, sobre todo a la hora de la importación y exportación de material ilícito. Las menores de la familia ambas las mejores en el manejo de armas aunque parezcan muñecas de porcelana. El hijo mayor  tiene una rivalidad con el mayor de los Milosevic, debido a una chica que ambos conocieron. Mezclar negocios y placer no es una buena jugada. La hija mayor  tiene una seria competencia con la mayor de las Valentí, ambas poseen una belleza que desean exponer y resultar ganadoras. La cuarta hija es un tanto mimada y caprichosa, le gusta verse rodeada de gente famosa para así tener mas atención, frente a todos es una simple hija de un empresario millonario pero la verdad es que es una estratega más de la familia, experta en arma blanca. Si bien esta familia no ha sido muy reconocida dentro de los I Sette Regni, ya que sus negocios no son nada comparados a los de las demás familias, han sabido darse su lugar gracias a su buena influencia que tiene la familia sobre la política, empresas y famosos, y preocupar a más de uno al dejarse ver como una muy clara y fuerte competencia.

Kɪsʜᴀʙᴀ

Conformado en su mayoría por hombres, la familia Kishaba es sin duda la más sanguinario, por llamarlos de alguna manera; son conocidos por sus actos delictivos en los cuales reina el tráfico de personas, la prostitución y el lavado de dinero, asi como el tráfico de órganos. Están presentes en las grandes ciudades de Estados Unidos, como lo es New York, Chicago y Detroit y además de Ámsterdam, Londres, Buenos Aires y el centro de Alemania, así también en México.

Todos y cada uno de los miembros de esta familia busca la destrucción de los I Sette Regni, a pesar de ser parte de ellos; pues su necesidad de poder es mucho mayor que continuar con aquella tregua que se formó años atrás y para ello han iniciado con una lista de ataques, secuestros y asesinatos contra los miembros de las familias pertenecientes a dicho grupo.

La hija menor de los Kishaba está comprometida con el segundo hijo de la familia Valentí, este matrimonio es una manera de solidificar esa “unión” que ambas familias desean mantener. Sin embargo los Kishaba tienen otros planes en mente, como es deshacerse de los Valentí usando ese matrimonio a su favor.

IMPORTANTE: Las familias pueden ser modificadas con más o menos miembros o bien pueden ser agregadas más familias.

[yjroleplay]

To Kaldur, From Rose

“This one, Daddy!” Lian exclaimed, scurrying over to one of the costumes hanging on the massive, ceiling-high rack. She snatched it off the hook and held it up with a grin.

Roy stifled an audible groan, running his hand over his mouth a moment. “That's... are you sure you don't want something... a different color?” He knew her mother would probably find it flattering that their girl wanted to be a ninja this year, rather than Robin Hood like last year, but...

“I see she has reached the... what did you call it?” Kal stated, glancing back at his friend. “The 'pink stage'?”

Lian held her grin. “I'm sure, Daddy.”

“Uh huh,” Roy muttered, taking the costume and holding it up to inspect. “We're hoping she'll grow out of it. ...why do they even make pink ninja costumes, anyway? Ninjas are supposed to be stealthy, stick to the shadows. Hard to do that if you're glowing like a neon sign.”

Kal gave the costume a brief look, holding a hand to his chin. “I would imagine some merely have a different preference in colors. It's not as though she will actually be a ninja.”

“Yeah, well... still.” He pushed out a breath and shrugged, then handed the costume back to Lian. “Alright... you can get it, if that's the one you're sure you want?”

“Yup, thanks, Daddy!” Lian said with a giggle.

“Weren't her past Halloween costumes homemade?” Kal asked. “I seem to recall you mentioning something about that.”

Roy paused, blinking back at his friend. “Oh, uh... yeah, well, we just haven't had that much time this year. I wasn't able to get around to... making one.” He cleared his throat, quickly averting his eyes. The subject needed to change, quickly. It was actually Jade that knew how to sew, but he had never forgotten what she said she'd do to him with the sewing machine if he ever told people. She, however, had been busy herself with... well, with her new 'jobs'. “What about your kid, what's he got?”

Kal turned and looked further down the aisle, where Amistad was busy sifting through the various costumes. They had been here at this massive Halloween store for the better part of an hour and the boy still had no idea what he wanted to be. “I am unsure... he said something about wanting to be a 'kitty', which I took to mean the lion costume from earlier interested him, but hasn't yet decided.”

Roy turned his head slightly, watching Lian carefully as she scampered over to Amistad to show off her costume. The two kids laughed together, and then proceeded to look at more costumes—they were having fun, at least. With a subtle smile, he looked back at Kal. “And what about you? We going to see a return of the red wig and purple sea shells?”

“No, nothing quite so...” Kal cleared his throat, shifting his weight slightly. “...embarrassing, this year. At least, not yet. Raquel has not finalized what we'll be going as.”

Roy chuckled, shaking his head. “Why is it that the women get to decide what we wear?”

“Because we are the men,” he replied. “Evidently, that is how things work—our decisions are made for us.” He paused, then folded his arms across his chest and added, “So, what does Jade have you going as?”

Roy grumbled, then let out a small sigh. “The Mad Hatter.” Or rather, as Jade put it, a 'sexy' Mad Hatter. Which pretty much amounted to the oversized top hat and a suit with pants that were one size too small, for her viewing pleasure.

Kal lifted an eyebrow. “The Mad Hatter?”

“From Alice in Wonder Land.”

“So, then she is going as...”

“A slutty Alice,” he replied, with a nod. Not that he was complaining. “I think she finds it ironic, or something. We should have just had Lian dress as the Cheshire Cat to complete the set, but she didn't want a cat costume.”

“Well, at least she is consistent,” Kal said, noting Jade's particular... pattern of Halloween costumes. Looking back at the kids, he noticed the two start to disappear around the corner into the next aisle and hurried after them, Roy following. “Amistad, wait a moment.”

Before they got around the corner, Amistad called out an excited, “Kitty!”

“I guess he found the lion costume again,” Roy offered, with a small chuckle. However, the next voice they heard quickly dispelled that idea.

“No, no, no, this simply won't do. I require something much more befitting my excellence. Bring me something else, at once!”

Both Roy and Kal froze a moment, looking at each other with raised eyebrows. That voice was all too familiar... Breaking out of their stunned daze, they ran around the corner. There, standing on one of the platforms that housed a display of a skeleton in an electric chair, was Klarion. A long king's cloak draped around his shoulders, along with a jeweled crown atop his head. In one hand, he held a staff, and in the other, a hand mirror that he used to examine himself. One of the store attendants, who looked more than a little annoyed, took the staff from him at his request and marched off to find something else, muttering under her breath all the while.

The 'kitty' that Amistad had mentioned, sat nearby. Teekl eyed the children carefully as they went up to pet him, his tail flicking back and forth. The oversized demon cat looked as though it would be annoyed at first, but surprisingly settled down and lowered himself lower to the floor, resting.

“Lian, get away from the demon tiger,” Roy said cautiously, taking a few steps forward. Both Lian and Amistad didn't seem to pay any mind to the adults, instead focusing on petting Teekl.

Kal eased out a more relaxed breath, though he he still did share his friend's caution. “Though I'm not exactly one to defend hellspawn, I do not believe Teekl will hurt them. Still, Amistad, be careful.” He turned his attention next to Klarion, who he gave a long look. “Klarion.”

Klarion looked over to him and gave an expression of mock surprise, hopping down off the platform and marching over to them. “My dear Kaldur, imagine seeing you here! Of all the dress-up stores in all the world. What brings my favorite water-breathing surface dweller and the Crimson Shaft to these parts?”

Roy frowned. “That's Red Arrow.”

“Oh, nonsense,” the witch boy stated with a scoff, waving off the comment. “You dress in red leather and handle long phallic objects. Crimson Shaft suits you much better.”

“Why you--”

Kal quieted him with a hand on the shoulder, holding him back. Unlike himself, Roy was not used to dealing with Klarion's particular antics. “Klarion, why are you here?”

“Finding a costume, naturally,” he replied, fixing the crown on his head so that it was straight. “That is what you normal folk do this time of year, yes?”

“I meant here.” Kal gestured around, indicating this particular store. He glanced back at him, eyes narrowing slightly and added, “Were you stalking me again?”

“Oh please, 'stalking' is such a crude word,” Klarion muttered, making a face, as if the very thought of it put him off. “I prefer 'studying from afar with great intrigue'. It's not as though I--no, Teekl, stop that! Bad Cat!”

They turned to look behind them, where Teekl was playing tug of war with Amistad, using the leg of a plastic skeleton. The demon cat gripped the leg firmly in his jaws, pulling back with equal force as the young boy. Lian had her arms wrapped around his waist, trying to help pull the thing away, but even their combined strength could do nothing to wrench it out of the feline's grasp.

“Amistad, that is enough,” Kal said gently, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. “Let it go.”

“You, too, Lian,” Roy said, a little more sternly, with his arms crossed over his chest. The two let go a second later, allowing Teekl to have the plastic leg.

“Teekl, let go of the leg,” Klarion said, tapping his foot against the floor and pointing in front of him. “These human-workers need their fake body parts, as delightfully morbid as that sounds.” The demon cat grumbled quietly, coming forward and promptly setting the skeleton leg down in front of Klarion's feet.

A moment later, the attendant returned carrying a gold scepter with ruby adorned atop it. “Here...” she muttered, holding it out to Klarion. “Is that better?”

The witch boy snatched the scepter from her and held it up, studying it. He then lifted his hand mirror again and struck a pose, looking at his reflection. Almost instantly, a delighted grin spread across his face. “Ah, now this is much better! If this doesn't scream 'King of Chaos', I don't know what does.”

The store attendant folded her arms and sighed, her gaze drifting to the side and falling on Teekl a moment later. She immediately frowned and looked back to Klarion. “Sir, I thought I told you several times already, we don't allow pets in the store!”

“Teekl isn't a pet,” he said, glaring back at the woman. “He's family.”

“He's an animal,” she insisted, picking up the plastic leg from the floor. “You need to put him outside, right now.”

Klarion frowned for a moment, then let out a seemingly defeated sigh and waved her hand at her to shoo her away. “Fine, fine. Go fetch me some plastic vampire teeth and I'll 'handle' it.” When the attendant marched off with a huff, Klarion grinned silently and then snapped his fingers. “Let's see how you like being a pet.”

Noticing the action, Kal narrowed his eyes. “Klarion, what did you--”

Before he could finish his sentence, a high pitched squeal rang out through the store. A moment later, a small brown tabby cat raced into the aisle, moving around frantically and meowing loudly. Amistad and Lian almost immediately started chasing it, laughing and calling out for the kitty to stop so they could pet it. Teekl, on the other hand, started chasing it for more cynical reasons, hissing and growling at it. Watching the scene, Klarion clapped his hands together gleefully, laughing with a large grin on his face.

“...Kal?” Roy said, as he watched the cat run frantically around their feet.

“Yes, Roy?”

“Did Klarion just turn that woman into a house cat?”

“I believe he did, yes.” After getting over his initial shock, he looked back up and walked over to Klarion. “You need to change her back, immediately.”

The witch boy scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I will do no such thing. It's her own fault, you know—shouldn't have insulted poor Teekl.”

“Klarion, you cannot just go around turning people into animals simply because they are rude.” Or really at all. “Please, change her back.”

“No.” Klarion pouted and scoffed out another breath as he folded his arms and looked away, eyes shut tight.

Kal sighed, rubbing his fingers against the bridge of his nose. Getting Klarion to go back on this with no leverage was futile... he'd have to bargain. “Fine, if you change her back... Raquel and I will allow you to join us this Halloween.”

Almost instantly, Klarion's eyebrows lifted. He turned back and grinned, his palms pressed together in front of his chest. “Oh Kal, you know if you and your lady wish to fornicate with me, you need only ask.”

Roy blinked, eyes widening. “Wait, what-- ...Kal, you--”

“No. No,” he said quickly, glaring. “I meant trick or treating with us. Not—not that.” Never that.

“Hmm...” Klarion said, rubbing a hand against his chin in thought. He actually seemed to be very carefully considering the offer. Finally, he uttered a sigh and shrugged. “Very well. I suppose I could use more sugary treats in my life. Teekl and I will join you at the proper time, then.” Lifting a hand, he snapped his fingers one more time. In an instant, the tabby cat popped back into the form of the store attendant, abruptly putting an end to the chase that Teekl and the kids were giving.

“What was-- oh my-- what happened? What happened?” she shrieked, looking up at everyone from the floor. She was shaking, practically in tears.

“Oh you don't need to be such a baby about it,” Klarion said, with a shake of his head. “All I did was transmogrify your body into a different life form.”

The woman gave him another look, then quickly scampered back to her feet and ran down the aisle with a frightened shout. Klarion laughed at this, then finally turned back to his companion. “Teekl, I believe it's time to go. Come now, we have much planning to do for Halloween.” The demon cat wandered back over to Klarion and yawned, promptly sitting down. With a wave of his arm, the two began to fade, disappearing into thin air. “We shall see you later, Kal. Give my regards to your concubine for me.”

When Klarion was gone, Roy held a hand to his head and sighed. “Well that was... interesting.”

Kal nodded slowly. “Indeed. I think we should get going now.”

“Probably a good idea.”

A moment later, Amistad hurried over carrying a costume. “I found one, I found one!” He held it up, grinning. “I want this one!”

Kal looked down at it, pausing momentarily before taking it from the boy. “I see...”

When Roy got a look at it, he blinked a second before bursting out laughing, patting his hand on Kal's back. “Wow. I don't know if I should find that funny or sad that he'd rather dress up as Lagoon Boy than you.”

“This is not La'gann...” Kal said, pointing at the words. “It is the Creature From the Black Lagoon.”

“Yeah, dude. Lagoon.” Roy laughed again, shaking his head. “Well come on then, let's pay for these and get out of here before that woman comes back and starts pointing fingers.”

“Yes, I think that would be a good idea.”

As the group made their way down the aisle towards the registers, Roy let out a soft breath and pursed his lips. “We should do this more often, getting together with the kids. You know, minus the insane witch boy.”

Kal glanced back at Lian and Amistad, who were giggling and talking with each other. “They do seem to like each other. Unfortunately, I do not believe your wife would like that. She does not... think very well of me.”

Roy huffed, folding his arms. “Well, I can try talking to her. No promises, but... it would be nice.”

Kal smiled, giving a firm nod. “Yes, it would.”

[lgbtqnation]

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